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FUCHSIA
These pendulous lovelies are represented in a genus of over 100 species of small or medium sized trees. Their growing habits are categorized by being prostrate, trailing, upright lax (fountain), and upright. Leaves can be opposite, alternate, or whorled.
Flowers are usually borne in clusters along the tips, are usually hanging and often are bi-colored. Flower color is often white, pink, red, or purple although greens, peaches and yellows are beginning to appear too. When talking about fuchsia flowers the terms sepal, tube, and corolla are often used.
The sepal and tube are the exterior portions and the corolla is the interior. Spent flowers turn into an edible fruit which has been suggested to have the flavor of grape spiced with black pepper.
Highlights of these beauties include:
- Extreme easy care once established.
- Attract humming birds like you wouldn't believe!
- Long blooming.
- There are over 2,000 cultivars to choose from!
Here are a few of our favorites: (click photos to enlarge)
 Fuchsia procumbens - Four inch x spreading. Trailing/groundcover. Zone 9.
Mat forming fuchsia, also great for containers. Bright green leaves, unusual upright red and orange flowers appear in summer, followed by bright red berries. |
 Fuchsia magellanica 'Aurea'3’High x 5’ Wide. Upright Lax. Zone 7-10. Leaves are very bright green (more so with more sun) which makes this plant a wonderful contrast plant. Red pendulous flowers. This fuchsia can take more sun than many other varieties. The stems and veins pick up mauve hues in the fall. |
 Fuchsia triphylla 'Gartenmeister Bonstedt' hybrid 3’ High x 3’ Wide. Upright Bushy Habit. Flowers summer through first frost. Leaves are dark green with darker purple-bronze undersides. Flowers are long tubes borne in cluster and are HOT coral-red in color. Great for classic gardens and especially good in tropical looking containers. |
 Fuchsia encliandra 'Isis' hybrid20-30” High x 18” Wide. Zone 7-10. Tiny leaves hybrid covered with small pink-red flowers until frost. Wonderful container plant. Excellent choice for training into topiary or bonsai. |
 'Preston Guild' hybrid2-3’ High x Wide. Upright. Zone 7. Flowers- sepal white and corolla blue. An elegant hybrid with a beautiful unfurling flower. |
 'Winston Churchill' hybrid2’ High x 2-3’ Wide. Upright. Zone 9-11. Easy. Masses of large classic fuchsia flowers in pink and purple bloom all summer long. Great in borders and pots. |
Photos compliments of Monnier's Country Gardens.
Fuchsia
FUN FACTS: FUCHSIA
Family: Onagraceae Family (Evening Primrose Family)
Genus: Fuchsia
Origin: South and Central America, with a few species from New Zealand and Tahiti.
Culture: Fuchsia enjoy fertile moist soil with good drainage. They like a situation that is mostly sunny to partly shady and are heavy feeders during the growing season. Most are from the tropic and subtropical regions which makes them an annual in our climate. Some species originate from the Tierra Del Fuego region of South America and are generally the ones considered hardy (perennial) in our climate.
It is important to note that a cold winter will knock even the hardy ones to the ground- although they will re-sprout the following spring.
Pests and Diseases: Very few pests or diseases are problems once fuchsias are established. Most problems can be avoided by keeping the area clear around young plants clear of debris and keeping the soil moist (not wet).
Propagation: By seed and cuttings.
Maintenance: Feed regularly (monthly) during the growing season. Keep plants evenly watered. If you would like to create a bushier plant, pinch off the tips as it grows as this will encourage side shoots.
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